Desert camping in Utah
From lakes to mountains to desert plateaus, Utah’s great outdoors comes in many flavors.
93% (4432 reviews)
- Utah
93% (4432 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Utah
Under $50
Star Hosts in Utah
12 top wheelchair-accessible desert campgrounds in Utah
96%
(646)
Arrowhead Campground
7 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Monument Valley, UT
Greetings! Welcome to Arrowhead Campground! Arrowhead Campground is roughly 5 acres of land, sitting right in Monument Valley, Utah. Come stay with us to experience one of the most amazing views in the world! You'll get to experience a full 360 degree view of all the towering red sandstone buttes and mesas. This is great for capturing the best views in the area. You'll experience breathtaking sunsets and sunrises right from your campsite. Great for pictures and photoshoots. The campground offers one of the largest shade structures in the area, with durable white picnic tables. We do allow campfires, so there is a fire-pit for that. The campground is only 2 1/2 miles away from the tribal park and 1 1/4 miles from the nearest highway. It's tucked away and secluded from noise and light pollution. The stars at night are bright and shinny, so you can pitch your tent right underneath them. With that said, Arrowhead Campground will be one of the best campgrounds you'll ever stay at. If you have any other questions feel free to message me with any of your questions.
Note:
This is a dry campsite. Although, we do offer potable water to fill any water containers up to 10 gallons.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from
$40
/ night
97%
(3867)
Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp
57 sites · RVs, Tents1200 acres · Virgin, UT
Off Grid eco oriented camp on 1200 acres overlooking Zion National Park. Owned and operated by Bill Wright, a rancher whose family has farmed and ranched the land for several generations. A few minutes from Zion’s backcountry trails in the Kolob Terrace Region and approx. 40 minutes to the main gate of Zion NP. Bill Wright is the father of the legendary "Wright Brothers" the family of Professional Rodeo Saddle Bronc riders. You will often see Bill tending the land and moving cattle and horses from your campsite. This off the grid ranch has some of the most stunning views you'll ever encounter. Want a little adventure during your stay? Reserve a 2-hour horseback ride with Bill. He'll finish your ride with one of the most breathtaking vistas you can find of Zion National Park. Our property features many spaced out sites to choose from with bathrooms onsite. Pets and campfires are also allowed.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Cooking equipment
from
$35
/ night
95%
(248)
Mexican Hat Rocks
40 sites · RVs, Tents200 acres · Mexican Hat, UT
No need to reserve ahead of time! Camp spots are not marked but are obvious, choose site when you arrive, refer to map. Please respect No Trespassing signs!
Two (2) miles north of Mexican Hat, UT on Hwy 163, turn East, find your spot! Bigger Rigs: Keep to the right at the 'Y' as the road to the San Juan River is steep and a little bumpy!
Next to the Bears Ears National Monument, between Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley along the San Juan River is Mexican Hat where you can camp on private property...as this is NOT on the Navajo Reservation, alcohol is allowed.
So many things to see! Goosenecks State Park, Natural Bridges, Moki Dugway, Cedar Mesa!
Camp on this private estate that was founded in the 1890's by gold and oil prospectors and where John Wayne later crossed the river in several western movies! The night skies are unbeatable as is the quiet solitude that is sadly disappearing in other areas. Mexican Hat Rock and this portion of the San Juan River are accessible only through this estate that is open for your enjoyment, however, if you wish to camp we now ask for a small fee so we can keep it clean, maintain roads and continue our conservation efforts so all can enjoy it forever! Portable toilets are required!!! And please pick up after yourself, dogs and horses. Pack it in, pack it out. Respect your fellow campers and stay on obvious trails and roads, do know that part of this property is marked as 'No Trespassing', please respect signage. No fee is required for day trips to 'The Hat'.
Pets
Campfires
from
$18
/ night
95%
(65)
Paria River Ranch
20 sites · RVs, Tents26 acres · Kanab, UT
Paria River Ranch is a working ranch that offers access to world class trails and some of the most unique riding in the Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We offer a limited number of 30 AMP Hookups and have an RV dump. Please come visit us at this magical place.
Check out our other site accommodations to find the best stay for what you are looking for! We offer dry camping and also RV camping options. Look for our other sites to book!
Bring your horses and mules and enjoy the beautiful trails. We offer 12x12 pipe corrals and have some larger corrals for 2 or 3 horses/mules. You provide everything. We will pick up manure outside of your corral once a day.
*Horses and Mules have an additional charge of $15 per animal*
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$40
/ night
97%
(96)
Range RV Campground
64 sites · RVs10 acres · Apple Valley, UT
Range RV is a new RV campground located in Apple Valley, UT. We are 35 mins to Zion National Park, 30 mins to both Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Sand Hollow State Park, 2 hours to Bryce Canyon National Park, and 2 hours to the North Rim- Grand Canyon National Park. Our campground is conveniently close to world-renowned mountain biking trails, Gooseberry Mesa, Little Creek Mesa, and Jem. Come camp with us any time of the year and enjoy access to great trails, scenic views, and dark skies!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$45
/ night
94%
(135)
Field Station Moab - showers, pool
5 sites · RVs4 acres · Moab, UT
Van life spot at camping hotel
20ft long with 120 volt - 110 standard outlet
free washer/dryer
showers
pool
fire pit
cafe & general store
gear rental
Home of Arches and Canyonlands, Moab has long been a destination for travelers of all kinds. Field Station Moab is the ideal location for any adventure, offering a range of accommodations – rooms for two to eight guests, spots for van lifers – paired with our Little Station Coffee & Kitchen. Grab a mountain bike from our partners and explore the rocky terrain, or opt to raft down the iconic Colorado River.
Park your home in one of our Van Life posts and enjoy all of the amenities Field Station has to offer. With 120 volt - 110 standard outlet power and communal space available to spread out, you’re welcome to stay and enjoy a hot shower, take a dip in the pool, or just relax with a beverage after a long day of driving. Each Van Life reservation comes with access to our showers, Wi-Fi, communal areas, guiding services, and rentals.
Our van life spots are parking spots that are 20ft long with 120 volt - 110 standard outlet. These spots are only designed for vans and van like vehicles (no stand alone tents). Please check in with Guest Experiences before parking your vehicle.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
Trash
from
$69
/ night
95%
(434)
High Sage Hogans
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · La Sal, UT
Situated at 7,000 feet, campers are surrounded by the snow covered LaSal Mountains overlooking the deep Canyonlands NP of the Colorado River escarpment, and only 30 minutes from Moab, Utah. Summer temps are much cooler here than in the surrounding canyons and valleys of the Moab area, a very pleasant retreat from the heat! Virtually ALL outdoor sporting adventures are found around here in nearly limitless abundance, including winter sports, snowmobiling, off-roading, dirt-biking, 4-wheeling, and more. Campground has outdoor-potty, free firewood with pits.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Trash
from
$39
/ night
93%
(278)
Red Desert RV Park
8 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Moab, UT
Red Desert RV Park has expanded to 55 full hookup RV sites along with 14 cabins. We are geared towards outdoor adventurists and sightseers wanting a cost-effective stay while taking advantage of everything Moab has to offer!
We are locally owned by a family of 8 and love calling Moab our home. We understand the corporate overtaking that Moab has had in the last 5 years and plan to keep our campground affordably priced and locally owned. We have upgraded the old site plan from 7 RV sites to 55 Full Service RV sites this year. Most sites are pull through but we will have some back-ins. Our new bathhouse has a laundry, women's bathrooms and showers, men's bathrooms and showers, and an ADA compliant family style bathroom.
In addition to the new bathhouse, we have a new office and retail store where we sell souvenirs, RV supplies, snacks, drinks, ice, firewood, and other necessities for guests. We do not currently have propane fill on site.
We know that there are many options to choose from when it comes to staying in Moab. We urge people to support locally owned businesses that help Moab grow and solve problems that exist in our community. Moab is a recreation mecca with something for everyone and our little campground on the south end of the valley puts you within minutes of town, the mountains, and the red deserts around Moab.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$45
/ night
81%
(333)
Chiefs Campsite
4 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Oljato Monument Valley, UT
Learn more about this land:A western style camping site. Join the quiet peaceful and sun rise or sunset under the stars. Please have your own camping gears. We do have fire pit, bbq grill, picnic tables available with shades, outhouse (restroom) and outside shower with cold and hot water. We have a gas station and grocery store about 4 miles away. For additional people ten dollars per person additional. Please feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$45
/ night
95%
(165)
Where The Wild Things Camp
17 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · La Sal, UT
Come camp Where The Wild Things Camp! Let the awe-inspiring views of the majestic slick rock, sage and juniper surround you in the peace and quiet of this beautifully secluded desert space. Centrally located to the best Canyonlands has to offer, our camp is located on 25 acres less than half a mile from Looking Glass Arch, a popular rock climbing destination which got its name from the conquistadors who would climb to the top and look through a “looking glass” for landmarks that would lead them back to Santa Fe.
Moab is 25 miles to our North, about a 30 minute drive. The nearest convenience store/gas station is in the tiny town of La Sal, 12 miles NE of us. Although the Lasal Jct. now has burger truck, showers, ice and snacks. The nearby La Sal mountains rise to over 12,000 in elevation and is a great place to get out of the heat and enjoy lakes surrounded by beautiful pine and aspen forests.
As the name suggests, Where The Wild Things Camp truly is wild and not for everyone. We are off grid, meaning there is NO electricity, no drinking water, and only "spotty" cell phone service is best just anywhere before bathrooms. Make sure to check the weather forecast before coming out and be prepared for anything as the weather here in the desert can be unpredictable and ALWAYS stake down your tents! Porta-Potty's available. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRACTICE PACK-IT-IN AND PACK-IT-OUT. Trash service not available.
NON-AGGRESSIVE dogs are always welcome, however please keep in mind that a lot of our wild friends also live here, such as coyotes, rattlesnakes, deer and antelope. We wouldn’t want your pets or our friends harmed in any way!
From Moab: Drive south on Hwy 191 for approximately 23 miles and turn right (east) onto Looking Glass Rd/Co. Rd. 131 (It will be the first right after La Sal Junction) Continue on this road for 1.4 miles until you see a wide gravel road branching off to the left. Turn left, this road will branch again in .03 miles, turn to the right and continue straight (another .5 mile to WHERE THE WILD THINGS CAMP!!
From Monticello: Drive north on Hwy 191 for approximately 31 miles and turn left onto Looking Glass Rd/Co. Rd 131 (It will be the first left after Wilson Arch).
https://earth.google.com/earth...
Moab: 25 miles
Canyon Rims Recreation Area: 12 miles
La Sal: 12 miles
Monticello: 33 miles
Blanding: 54 miles
Bluff: 79 miles
Mexican Hat: 104 miles
Monument Valley: 126 miles
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from
$45
/ night
97%
(18)
Escalante Cabins & RV Park
81 sites · RVs26 acres · Escalante, UT
Looking for a family-friendly campground, with cabins, RV sites, tents sites, and even vacation rental homes? Well, Escalante Cabins & RV Park is exactly what you're looking for. Make us your base camp for adventures to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! Close to Bryce, Zion and Capital Reef National Parks as well!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
Trash
from
$5
/ night
89%
(64)
Zion Glamping Adventures
17 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents26 acres · Hurricane, UT
Located in a spectacular spot in Hildale, Utah, just an hour drive from Zion National Park. Escape the crowds and indulge in this extraordinary retreat!
Accommodations
> 20 units of Glamping Tents
> 2 units of Rock Cave
> 7 sites for the RV Park
The campsite has five fully operational bathrooms equipped with running water, hot showers, and flush toilets. Basic toiletries are provided for your convenience. There is a common kitchen area where you'll find a fridge, microwave and propane grills.
Every morning, our host expertly prepares a delectable breakfast consisting of steaming cups of coffee and mouthwatering pancakes, ensuring that all guests can savor a delightful start to their day.
In the evening, the host creates a spacious campfire that invites all guests to gather together and forge connections. It's an opportunity to engage with fellow campers, share captivating tales, and indulge in the delightful combination of s'mores.
Make sure not to overlook our highly sought-after array of activities, including exhilarating side by side tours, captivating guided hikes, memorable horseback rides, scenic wagon rides, creative paint and wine sessions, and rejuvenating yoga classes!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from
$65
/ night
Available this weekend
Dog-friendly getaways
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Desert camping in Utah guide
Overview
With a wide variety of terrains ranging from dense forest to arid plateaus, Utah has been attracting campers, backpackers, and hikers for generations. It's home to five national parks, plus dozens of state parks and national forests and monuments (not to mention plenty of BLM land), making it easy to find a Utah camping experience that suits you best. While the southern and eastern parts of the state attract lovers of the great outdoors with their massive rock formations and abundance of recreation activities, you’ll also find plenty to do up in the north, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to getting out on one of the region’s many lakes and reservoirs come summer.
Where to go
Northwest Utah
Northern Utah is where you'll find some of the state's lushest areas, with plenty of lakes and mountains, a stark contrast to the rockier, arid regions to the south. Salt Lake City is one of the region's biggest draws, and its easy access to outdoor recreation areas, such as Antelope Island State Park on the Great Salt Lake, makes it a reasonable base for those wanting to explore the region. Camping areas abound in this region—the tent-only Cottonwood Campground at Bear Lake State Park is a particularly good choice.
Eastern Utah
Eastern Utah offers some of the best opportunities for outdoor recreation in the state, and that's not just because two of Utah’s five national parks—Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park—are here, a short drive from Moab. Spots worth visiting include Dead Horse Point State Park (popular for mountain biking) and Natural Bridges National Monument, where you’ll see three natural bridge formations carved from the earth millennia ago. This area is also great for archaeology fans. Hovenweep National Monument is a great place to check out the ruins of 13th-century pueblos, while Bear Ears National Monument is full of beautifully preserved ancient cave art.
South-Central and Southern Utah
South Central Utah offers a mix of high desert and dense forest, with plenty of spots to go out and play. You can hike through the slot canyons of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, explore the fairytale-like hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park, or try your hand at canyoning at Capitol Reef National Park. This region is also home to Lake Powell, on the Colorado River, right on the border with Arizona.
Southwest Utah
Home to both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, southwest Utah offers fantastic hiking and camping options, with a mix of beautiful rock formations, vast forests, and desert sand dunes. While the national parks are the main draw, this region offers plenty to do, from ATV/OHV riding on the massive golden dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to checking out the red rock formations at Kodachrome Basin State Park. You'll find some of Utah's best camping spots and hiking trails all through the region, and the lack of light pollution makes this area ideal for stargazing under the night skies.
Safety at Hipcamp
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.